Eyes on Development

While warmer weather always means an increase in construction, there are several large public development projects that have been in the works for years now underway. From the recent state funding for Nicollet Mall to ward-specific road work, from the new football stadium to making it easier for restaurants to operate in the City in the hopes of spurring future development, I think you will see why much of my time has been spent thinking about development. As the conversations about Southwest Light Rail continue, I have brought several folks to West Calhoun to compare final station-area plans to the current conditions in this high-traffic corridor. Last week, I brought former MnDOT Commissioner Len Levine on a tour as there are some huge improvements worth considering, and he agrees: if the Southwest LRT moves forward, the West Lake station could be our City’s premier station along the line. This newsletter contains several articles about development in a variety of forms, ways in which we're continuing make Minneapolis the best City to live, work and play. I hope you find it almost as interesting as I do.

Toolkit for Neighbors of New Construction

As construction season heats up and residential construction increases, each permit that is issued now requires the holder's signature on the Construction Management Agreement, which was passed by the City Council and signed by Mayor Hodges in April. Additionally, we will be announcing a number of amendments to improve the Zoning Code for residential developments. Expect these to be introduced in June or July.

In the coming weeks, our office and the City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED) will be releasing a document called “The Toolkit for Neighbors of New Construction.” This document is designed to equip neighbors with the information needed to prepare for and handle any issues that may arise during the course of residential infill construction. Sections include:

Who’s who in City government when it comes to construction?

Steps recommended to prepare for construction

Handling common construction management issues

What to do if you experience property damage

The document was written by 13th Ward staff but is intended to be useful to all Minneapolis residents. Watch your e-mail inbox for the release!

Super Bowl & Nicollet Mall

During her State of the City address, Mayor Betsy Hodges encouraged residents to brag about Minneapolis. In the last couple weeks, the City has received great news that will continue to invigorate Downtown and the City as a whole. Both of these items will give us ample opportunity to brag.

First, Minneapolis will be hosting the 2018 Super Bowl. While there has been much controversy over the past few years about whether or not public dollars should have been used for the stadium (set to open in 2016), this stadium will be built, and it benefits all of us to use it to its full capacity. This will bring a great deal of attention to Minneapolis over the next four years, and will lead to development in and around the City. It will also bring an influx of visitors (and tax dollars) to our City. Additionally, the added revenue will provide a boon to local restaurants, bars and shops that normally see a drop in sales during the winter’s coldest months.

In other news, the Minnesota Legislature has designated $21.5 million in bonding to revamp Nicollet Mall in Downtown. Downtown businesses are also committing up to $25 million to the project through an effort led by the Downtown Council. The Nicollet Mall makeover is slated to begin next year and will make the space more pedestrian friendly. The latest designs build connections between the street and the skyways and link Loring Park with the Mississippi River. The design includes features such as areas for new and hardier trees, enhanced sidewalk spaces, improved lighting, fire pits and a pedestrian “island” that connects foot traffic on the mall to the skyways. You can see artist renderings of the designs at nicolletmallproject.com. The Nicollet Mall project is now moving into the final design phase after three large public meetings and multiple smaller community conversations were held to gather public input in the design.

Eyes on Roads

For updates on the various road construction projects in the 13th Ward, follow the links below:

Eyes on Bicyclists & Pedestrians

We have been working diligently on some problem areas and intersections around the ward.

On May 13, we brought together Hennepin County, the Park Board and City staff with West Calhoun neighbors for a forum on traffic safety. We presented our analysis of the biggest traffic safety problems and empowered the approximately 40 residents in attendance to suggest where we should put resources. We are working to further this effort as quickly as possible.

As you enjoy this fantastic weather, please take extra caution as a motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian to navigate traffic in predictable ways. Consider this primer as a way for bikers and motorists to review the ways to ride together more safely.

Special Service District at 54th & Lyndale

In 2006, the four neighborhood organizations surrounding Lyndale Ave. south of Minnehaha Creek gathered together businesses and residents to develop a master plan for the corridor. Among the recommendations in the plan for Lyndale Ave. was unifying the look and feel of the business district, in part through the use of street furniture and amenities such as decorative trash receptacles, benches, bike racks, and boulevard landscaping. Additionally, it discussed the creation of a Special Service District to then maintain those improvements.

A Special Service District, or SSD, allows property owners in a commercial district to collectively assess themselves each year to create a pool of funds all of which are directed back to the District in the form of special amenities and enhanced services (note that only commercial properties along Lyndale Avenue will be assessed; residential properties are not affected). These special amenities and enhanced services are over and above what the City ordinarily provides.

Typically such enhancements would need to be 100% assessed to commercial properties. Because of the recent reconstruction of Lyndale Ave., the business district is eligible for funding from Hennepin County that will pay a third of the upfront capital costs to purchase and install such enhancements. Through the generous contributions from the four adjacent neighborhood organizations, an additional $48,000 was made available to further write down the capital costs to commercial properties.

Appointments to the advisory board members for the newly created 54th & Lyndale SSD were approved by the City Council on May 23. The next step is for the board to set the 2015 budget. Many thanks to Kenny, Lynnhurst, Tangletown and Windom neighborhood organizations, as well as to Public Works staff and Ward 11 Council Member John Quincy’s office for their dedication to the establishment of the District.

Refreshing the City's Alcohol Ordinances

At last Friday’s City Council meeting, I was pleased to introduce—along with my colleagues Elizabeth Glidden and Jacob Frey—notices of intent to amend sections of our city’s alcohol ordinances. With the increasing amounts customers are spending on craft beers and bottles of wine at restaurants, the current food-to-beverage ratios are outdated. Our intent is to update these standards so that restaurants can thrive and continue adding vibrancy to our neighborhoods.

We take great pride in our local food scene. In the 13th Ward, our restaurant culture has grown and we value and celebrate an increasingly diverse mix of restaurants and eateries. Part of fostering this and enabling local entrepreneurs to thrive include better rules and tools for both restaurants and regulators. To that end, it is in everyone’s interest to update these regulations so they can facilitate good neighbor regulation while also assuring fair and just enforcement. Safety and regulation of liquor and beer in the Minneapolis restaurant industry is of paramount importance as we work to enhance our restaurant culture.

Farmers Markets Are Back!

We have two great yearly farmers markets in the 13th Ward, and we’re excited to welcome them back into our neighborhoods.

The Fulton Farmers Market opened on May 17 and runs through October. It’s located at 49th and Chowen, and is open Saturdays from 8:30-1. For more details, check out fultonfarmersmarket.org.

The Linden Hills Farmers Market opens this Sunday, June 1 and is also open through October. It’s located at 43rd and Vincent on Sundays from 9-1. Go to lindenhillsfarmersmarket.com for more details.

Yard Waste & Backyard Compost Bins

Still getting around to cleaning up your yard waste? Did you know that you can use your own reusable 33-gallon containers (as long as it has sturdy handles) rather than purchasing bags? You can order green “yard waste” stickers to place on your container to alert the pick-up crew. Call Solid Waste & Recycling at 612.673-2917 to order stickers. More details here.

We are working hard on logistics and environmental management options to bring organics recycling citywide. In the meantime, backyard composting is a great way to turn food and yard waste into a nutrient-rich resource, and Hennepin County is selling compost bins to help you get started. For more information or to order a bin, visit hennepin.us/composting.